Week 6

DEVO 

We discussed chapter 5 of Do Hard Things.  Don't forget to be thinking of ideas for a "hard thing" the class could do!

LATIN

We're moving on to lesson 23.  This is the bottom of Verb Chart 5. Remember the easy rule: Add the regular final personal signs (m, s, t, mus, tis, nt) to the present infinitive.  E.g., laudāre + -m, s, t, etc.

SCIENCE   

We discussed chapter 5 of Defeating Darwinism and worked through everyone's outlines.  As you gain more experience in using the outline shells and creating summaries each week, feel free to use whatever method and style work best for you!  The shells I provided are only a guide.

LOGIC

We reviewed some exercises from the prior lessons that students had trouble with, and now we're moving on to lessons 14b-17.  Be sure to read ALL the assigned lessons fully, then begin working on the exercises.  You have two weeks to complete everything.

MATH

We discussed several problems and also played Board Slam Bingo.  Don't forget to practice your multiplication drills and basic math facts on Quizlet.

SHORT STORIES

Students shared their descriptions of main characters and got feedback.  We also discussed The Schoolboy’s Story and The Spot.  This week, you will continue to develop your characters using the topics of invention (i.e., the five common topics):  How do they look?  How do they behave?  Be VERY DETAILED and BRING your written descriptions to class on Monday.

We will also read The Red-Headed League.  Don't forget to find (and bring!) a Bible verse that is relevant to this applies.

MOCK TRIAL

Students submitted their direct & cross exams of the prosecution witnesses.  Don't forget to (1) put your name on all exams, (2) type, print, and bring two copies of each exam to class, (3) number your pages, and (4) have a separate document for each exam.

We went over the prosecution witness exams, and also reviewed the Charge of Court (in the mock trial materials).  The Charge is not read in court for our competition, but it has very good details on many elements, definitions, and strategies you may find helpful.  Be sure to read it carefully!  As we discussed, you might want to highlight it with different colors for each side (e.g., one color for things that are helpful to the prosecution and a different color for the defense).

Keep in mind...

• The ORDER of questions is important in telling YOUR story
• Questions on direct exam cannot be leading; on cross, they should all be leading
• What is the critical information you need from each witness to prove the elements of your case, defense, etc.?  You should have a very clear idea/outline for this!
• What damaging information do you need to mitigate?
• What is the THEME of your case?  Bring ideas to share - you all must be on the same page here.

This week you will draft direct and cross examinations of both defense witnesses.  I also need you to email or text me with your top 3 choices for roles (e.g., particular witnesses you'd like to be; which side for an attorney; and/or which direct or cross exams you would like to conduct as an attorney).  I need this BEFORE Monday!

POSTREMO

• Send me your mock trial role preferences ASAP!

• Don't forget our (optional) short story writer's workshop downtown is next Wednesday, Feb. 27.  If you haven't registered, look for Mrs. Cox's email that was sent a few weeks ago.

Blessings on you and your studies this week!

~ Mrs. D

Week 5

DEVOTION

We discussed the "five kinds of hard" in chapter 4 of Do Hard Things.  Don't forget to be thinking of possible "hard things" you could accomplish with your classmates this semester!

LATIN

Students teamed up to race in completing Verb Charts 1, 2, and 3 and the first section of Chart 4.

This week, study Mastery Vocabulary Review #2 - there are quizzes for these words on Quizlet.  We also introduced Lesson 22 on the present subjunctive, which is verb chart 5.  Latin uses the subjunctive where English uses helping verbs, like may, might, should, etc.
, but also for other reasons (where English uses the indicative).


Continue to prepare for the NLE.  Complete exams 2007-2008 for Latin study hall next week.

MATH

Thank you, Sydney, for leading our math discussion!  Continue to prepare your own problem each week to lead a discussion with your classmates.

SHORT STORIES

Students shared their written descriptions of setting for their stories and received feedback from others.  We discussed setting "categories" like time, time focus, circumstances, climate, places, scenery/senses, and other people involved in the story.  

We also discussed The Mansion and Araby.  This week, you'll begin working on your characters.  Complete the assignments in the guide and bring your WRITTEN character descriptions (for each main character you have) to class on Monday, as well as your Bible verses for our assigned reading.

SCIENCE

We discussed chapter 4 of Defeating Darwinism.  If you haven't finished all your summaries so far, try to catch up soon!  We're on chapter 5 next class.

LOGIC

We discussed lessons 10-12 and worked through several exercises.  You have one more week to finish the reading and exercises for lessons 10-14a.  Next Tuesday during Latin study hall at the library, I will have a Logic review session for any interested moms.  Let me know if you plan to come.

MOCK TRIAL

Today we continued to practice making appearances of counsel, and we discussed the applicable statutes.  We also went over direct and cross examinations.

Remember, the trial is a battle of stories.  You want to persuade the jury to believe your side's story.  The content and order of questions is important in telling your story coherently and persuasively.  Just like you sort an ANI chart, think about sorting categories of your questions for a particular witness.  Maybe sometimes chronological questions are best; other times, there may be a better way to organize them.

Questions on direct examination cannot be leading (i.e., the question cannot suggest the answer), but on cross they should be leading (and in fact, should only elicit a "yes" or "no" answer).  On direct examination, think about how you can mitigate any damaging information; and on cross, find ways to challenge the witness's credibility.  Always keep in mind the theme of your case, the story you want to tell, and the elements you need to prove!

You want your witness to speak the most and be the focus of the jury's attention, but on cross examination, you (as the attorney) want to speak the most and be the jury's focus.

Reread the statutes to understand exactly what information you need to bring out from each witness.

Reread all of your case materials this week (yes, again!) and prepare direct examinations (with your "prosecutor" hat on) and cross examinations (in your defense attorney role) for Porter, Chaney, and May.  TURN IN ALL SIX EXAMS to me in class on Monday, and remember they must be TYPED!  This will help you greatly once roles are assigned in a few weeks.

POSTREMO

* Parents - please let me know if you plan to stay during the students' Latin study hall next Tuesday (Feb. 12), for us to review logic.

* This Sunday (3:00-7:30) we have our Challenge B movie night for Inherit the Wind and Expelled.  If you're interested in hosting, please let me know.  Otherwise, my house is open!  :)

* Our Mock Trial movie nights will be Sunday, February 24 and March 31, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

* Our (optional) short story writer's workshop downtown is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 27.  You need to register at the link emailed this week - we are still waiting for the password but will send that out soon.

Blessings on you and your studies this week!

~ Mrs. D

Week 4

DEVOTION

Students led our discussion of chapter 3 by using the 5 Common Topics.  

LATIN

By next Monday, you should be able to COMPLETELY fill in Verb Charts 1, 2, and 3 as well as the first section of Chart 4 (which I distributed in class).

With our snow delay, Latin and math were a bit abbreviated, but we had an epic battle reviewing Latin vocabulary with Pictionary!

Keep preparing for the NLE.  Complete exams 2001-2004 for Latin study hall tomorrow, and 2005 & 2006 later this week for our next study hall.

MATH

We spent our lunch hour playing Board Slam and Knockout.  We have a competitive group, and it was fun!  We will resume sharing problems next week, so make sure you prepare a discussion to lead on Monday.

SHORT STORIES

Today each student shared what they wrote to complete the statement "My story is about...."  The purpose was to articulate their STORY FOCUS.  A few students didn't write out their assignment (or they forgot to bring it to class)...we have a very difficult time getting through everyone's ideas if students aren't prepared, so please make sure you bring your work written down in advance to class if you want to share. 

This week, you will work on the SETTING of your story.  We discussed what this includes - e.g., where and when the story takes place, the five senses (sights, smells, sounds, etc.), and what feelings the author is trying to evoke (fear, joy, excitement, hopelessness, etc.).  Part of your assignment this week is to brainstorm the setting of your story, using the 5 Common Topics to help you describe it.  Write out a description of your story's setting and bring it to class!  Make sure you read your guide for the complete assignment!

We also discussed The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, again using the 5 Common Topics, and shared the Bible verses students found.  One question we considered was whether age has more to do with physical attributes or mindset?

SCIENCE

Students shared their summaries of chapter 3 of Defeating Darwinism and added to their own outlines as needed.  We also reviewed the 3-5 main points from each of the chapters so far, and I encouraged students to keep a running list of these.

This coming week, scan/touch/read chapter 4 and outline all major points.  Bring your outline to class and be prepared to discuss it.

LOGIC

We reviewed some problem exercises in lesson 8 together.  Overall, I think most students have a good handle on the material from the past 2 weeks.  We also played a Jeopardy review game of this material.

This week you are moving on to 10-14a.  Make sure you complete all the reading early in the week (and study the vocabulary - new and old!).  Then begin rereading each chapter and working through the exercises.  Hopefully you can do that at least for lessons 10 and 11 - then next week you will finish up through lesson 14a.

MOCK TRIAL

We added Barbara Barrett's information to the master timeline today - be are to be keeping up with your own timeline.  We also practiced making a PDI chart (similar to an ANI chart - "P" is information helpful to the prosecution, "D" for the defense, and "I" helpful).  This week you will TYPE a PDI chart for EACH witness and turn in a copy of your charts to me on Monday.

Then we reviewed sections 1-7 in the case materials.  This week, reread sections 8-9.

POSTREMO

* Parents - please let me know if you plan to stay during the students' Latin study hall on Tuesday, February 12, for us to review logic.

* The votes are in - our dinner & movie night for Inherit the Wind will be Sunday, February 10, from 3:00-7:30 p.m.  Also plan on Mock Trial movie nights on Sunday, February 24 and March 31, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

* It looks like the date of our (optional) writer's workshop downtown will be changing (because they are now not available on our requested date of Feb. 6).  We'll hopefully have more details soon, but we're looking at Wednesday, Feb. 27 or March 6.  Stay tuned!

Blessings on you and your studies this week!

~ Mrs. D

Week 3

DEVOTION

We shared prayer requests and discussed Chapter 2 of Do Hard Things.  If you have an idea of a "hard thing" the class could do together, please share!

LATIN

You should all now be able to completely fill in Verb Charts 1 and 2 and the first section of Chart 3.  You will learn the rest of Chart 3 over the next two weeks.

We continued to review how to build verbs.  For example:

to advise: moneō, monēre, monuī, monitus	to send: mittō, mittere, mīsī, missus
2nd principal part = monēre; -ēre verbs are 2nd conjugation	= mittere; -ere verbs are 3rd conjugation
Stem = mon-	Stem = mitt-
Add the signature / indicator vowel:              ē = monē	e = mitte
Add the tense indicator: None is needed for present tense; imperfect = -ba; future = -bi / -bo / -be /  -bu
Add personal ending:  -or / -r         -mur -ris -minī -tur -ntur

We reviewed ablative of living agent (for last week).  E.g.,  God is being praised by men.

= God by men is being praised.

(Nom.) (prep taken w/abl.) (ablative pl.) (3rd sing. —> He is being praised.)

Deus ab hominībus laudātur. 

NOTE:  Use the preposition ab (= by), which is written as ā before any word beginning with a consonant except h!

And I introduced ABLATIVE OF MEANS (p. 194):  If it’s NON-LIVING or the MEANS or INSTRUMENT with which something is done, then no preposition is needed!  Just use the ablative case (without ab or ā).

We played Around the World to quiz vocabulary.  We have quite a few new words - make sure you are studying them!  And don't neglect to review for the NLE - we have many quizzes on Quizlet.  This week, try to complete practice tests 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 before Latin study hall next week.

SHORT STORIES

Our focus this past week was of STORY FOCUS.  We discussed Little Girls Wiser Than Men and Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, including the time span of these stories and how the authors gave background information on their characters, setting, and plot.

Students shared their ONE idea they've narrowed down and received feedback from the class.  This week, read The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (p. 57-75), answer the Review and Thought Questions, find a Bible verse that speaks to the theme or issue in the story, and WRITE OUT the focus of your own short story.  Is it a character, event, or idea?  Begin with “My story is about…”  You can use the questions on p. 14 to help define your story focus.  Write out your answer to the prompt and BRING IT TO CLASS!

SCIENCE

Students shared their summaries of chapter 2 of Defeating Darwinism and added to their own outlines as needed.

We discussed different techniques for summarizing, including lists and paraphrased or summary paragraphs:

Summarization Options and Tips 

When we summarize, we want to take a large amount of information, and condense it down to a few key thoughts or sentences. Sometimes, it is easier to create one comprehensive paragraph from many.  Other times, it makes more sense to create bullet points which outline the ideas in the text.  In Chapter 1, we essentially used bullet points to summarize, whereas in Chapter 2 we wrote in paragraph form. 

Neither is more right or wrong, as long as we are including: the main, most important points in the chapter; new vocabulary; and people who are relevant to the information. It is also important to keep the spirit (mood) of the text the author intended and condense information (making it much ‘smaller’ than the original text). 

Ask yourself key questions when deciding how to summarize. 

Could I create a list of events? Is the author telling a story? Is he using words like, ‘there are 3 reasons,’ or ‘firstly...secondly...’ Understanding how the author is delivering his thoughts will help us decide how it will be best to summarize the chapter. If the author is making a list, you may want to as well. If he is telling a story or explaining one big, main idea, creating a well-thought out paragraph may be more relevant. 

Tips for Summarizing / Outlining: 

- Create a Vocabulary and People section to fill as you read

- Read through the entire chapter first without summarizing
- Create a small paragraph that gives a brief overview of everything included in the chapter 

- Create a new heading for each section in the chapter
- Decide if the section would be best summarized as a list or paragraph
- Read the section again
- Create your summary (condense the big ideas into smaller pieces of information)

- Use adjoining words to create fuller compound sentences
- Try to tie common thoughts together into one big thought
- Leave out insignificant details
- Begin with a sentence that encompasses the entire idea of the section, then follow that with relevant details or ideas 

- When making lists, try to clarify by using phrases such as, “The author lists 3 reasons why...” or “The author highlights 4 ways this happens...” When you re-read your notes, this will be helpful in understanding. 

We considered the movie Inherit the Wind & the concept and power of "the megaphone."  Hopefully we can get together soon to watch the movie as a class.

This coming week, scan/touch/read chapter 3 and outline all major points.  Bring your outline to class and be prepared to discuss it.

MATH

We reviewed some material from Saxon, students paired up to share their own problems, and Addie led the class in a discussion of her problem.

Make sure you are bringing to class every week a new problem that you are prepared to lead a discussion on.

LOGIC

This week you will complete the reading and exercises for Lessons 6-9.  We reviewed each of these together in class.  As always, feel free to email, text, or call me if you run into any trouble.  Parents, it looks like we can schedule a Logic tutorial for you during the kids' Latin study hall on Tuesday, February 12.  Please let me know if you would like to attend.

MOCK TRIAL

Students spent this strand building a comprehensive timeline with information from all of the witnesses and exhibits they have analyzed so far.  This week, you will tackle analyzing and paraphrasing the one remaining witness: Barbara Barrett.  Continue to add to your own timeline, and also reread sections 4-7 of your case materials.

POSTREMO

* Logic study hall for parents on Tuesday, February 12, during the kids' Latin time.

* Parents please respond ASAP to the doodle about scheduling several movie nights for second semester (the link is in the email I sent on Sunday).

* In preparation for the NLE, try to complete two tests each week - by next Tuesday, you should have 1999-2004.

We talked about the strands it's really important to stay on top of and not get behind in - for second semester of CH B, there are quite a few.  Most important is Mock Trial - you are not doing this individually, but rather have a duty and responsibility to your classmates who are your team.  Everyone must pull their weight and do quality work!

I also encourage you to stay on top of Logic, your own short story, and Latin (which is all new material now).  Falling behind in any of these strands will put you at a significant disadvantage that is hard to catch up on.  

Blessings on you and your studies this week!

~ Mrs. D

Week 2

We began our discussion of Do Hard Things today.  I especially enjoyed hearing your thoughts and expectations about your goals for the teenage years.  Read chapter 2 and come prepared to discuss rebelling against low expectations!

LATIN

We introduced Verb Chart 3, which covers the passive voice in present, imperfect, and future tenses  (rules 243-245), and reviewed how  to build verbs:

E.g., to praise:   laudō, laudāre, laudāvī, laudātus

1. 2^nd principal part = laudāre — āre verbs are 1^st conjugation
2. Stem = laud-
3. Add conjugation indicator: ā = laudā    
4. Add tense indicator, if any:  none needed for present tense; imperfect = -ba;
   future = -bi / -bo / -be / -bu
5. add personal ending = 

-or (for -ō) / -r (for -m) -mur

-ris                            -minī

-tur                           -ntur

We then discussed the Ablative of Agent (p. 185).  In a passive sentence, the subject is acted upon instead of doing the action.

The boy threw the ball.    —->    The ball was thrown by the boy.

The “actor” in passive sentences is not the subject.  We call it the “living agent”.

In English and Latin, the living agent is expressed by a prepositional phrase.

The ball was thrown by the boy.

In Latin, we use the preposition ab (= by), which is written as ā before any word beginning with a consonant except h.

E.g., ab omnibus hominibus (by all men)

ā duce (by the leader)

ab hominibus (by men)

God is being praised by men:

God by men is being praised.

(Nom.) (prep w/abl.) (ablative pl.) (3rd sing. —> He is being praised.)

Deus ab hominībus laudātur. 

LOGIC

We reviewed some trouble spots in lessons 1-5.  This week, begin chapters 6-9.  Read through *all* four chapters at the beginning of the week, make your vocabulary flashcards and begin to study them, then go back and reread chapter 6 and complete the exercises in that lesson.  Repeat the same process for chapter 7, and so on.  You will have 2 weeks to reread all four chapters and complete all the exercises.  Please feel free to email or text me if you run into any trouble during the week - it's important to keep up with logic in these early weeks as we make this transition into propositional logic.  :)

SCIENCE

We discussed naturalism, the importance of students learning to "master the challenge of evolution instead of it mastering you", and what "the most important question" is: Is there a God who created us and who cares about what we do?  Note that it's not whether God “exists”, but whether God cares about us and whether we need to care about God’s purposes.  We also discussed whether there is an inherent conflict between "faith" and "science", and reviewed the current NABT (National Association of Biology Teachers) position statement on teaching evolution, which includes:

Science teachers must reject calls to account for the diversity of life or describe the mechanisms of evolution by invoking non-naturalistic or supernatural notions, whether called “creation science,” “scientific creationism,” “intelligent design theory,” or similar designations. Ideas such as these are outside the scope of science and should not be presented as part of the science curriculum. These notions do not adhere to the shared scientific standards of evidence gathering and interpretation.

Just as nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution, nothing in biology education makes sense without reference to and thorough coverage of the principle and mechanisms provided by the science of evolution. Therefore, teaching biology in an effective, detailed, and scientifically and pedagogically honest manner requires that evolution be a major theme throughout the life science curriculum both in classroom discussions and in laboratory investigations.

**********

Your first attempts at highlighting and summarizing a chapter seemed to go well.  This week, you will "read" chapter 2 (using our multi-step approach of counting the cost, scan/touch, read & highlight, then read & summarize).  I look forward to hearing your thoughts on what stood out most to you.  We will review your completed outlines (do forget to bring it!!) and come up with our 3-5 main points from the chapter.

MATH

I introduced Saxon lessons 61-64, and students paired up to share the problems they brought this week.  We will continue this format next week.  Don't forget to keep practicing your basic math facts and multiplication drills!

SHORT STORIES

Last week focused on THEME.  We discussed the four assigned short stories and students shared their own story ideas.  This week's stories introduce the idea of STORY FOCUS.  As you read them, be thinking of a relevant Bible verse to share in class, and think about the Review & Thought Questions following each story.

You also need to narrow your own short story idea down to one.  WRITE it down and BRING it to class!  :)

MOCK TRIAL

Students competed in a scavenger hunt to see who could locate the most items in the case materials (congratulations Sydney, Greta, & Addie!).  We looked at the rewritten witness statements (nice job!) and several examples of how students compiled their timeline.

Remember, the evidence is the SAME for both sides.  It's the PERSPECTIVE that matters.   The prosecution will interpret the evidence one way and the defense another.  When you're creating "PDI" charts (i.e., ANI charts) for each witness or exhibit, you'll need to put on either the prosecution or defense “hat” in order to most effectively analyze the evidence.

This week, reread sections 1-3 in the case materials, analyze the statements of Porter & McGuire, rewrite those statements in your own words, and continue to add evidence to your comprehensive timeline.

Don't neglect to bring all of your work to class on Monday!  Your classmates are depending on you to pull your own weight - come prepared to share your work and ideas!

POSTREMO
* The Hiding Place at Faith's house on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m.

* Latin Study Hall: Tuesdays from 10:15-11:45 a.m.

* And don't forget to bring to class:

- all books for each strand
- Bible
- Defeating Darwinism outline of chapter 2
- math problem with 5 Common Topics questions prepared
- your narrowed, single story idea, written down
- rewritten statements for Porter & McGuire
- your own comprehensive timeline for mock trial

Blessings on your week!  ~ Mrs. D